Best laptop I’ve had so far, but they’re quite expensive for their performance tier. The expectation is that you’d never replace it, so theoretically the cost pays itself off over time, but that would assume that you are able and willing to do that sort of long term maintenance.
Basically, I would only recommend it if you were a tinkerer.
I disagree on the comment about cost disparity. Spec’d equivalently, even the Framework 16 (without GPU) is no more expensive than the smaller ThinkPad X1 Carbon. The more comparative Framework 13 even less so.
The modular ports (and GPU on the 16) are a nice bonus, but I agree that the largest attraction is for the tinkerer.
I think the fact that it is easily upgradable makes it a clear winner on the merits alone.
I do have the first generation which has a battery drain issue, which has since been fixed.
I always use my hardware for a looong time, but I look forward to only having to replace the main mobo and not the screen or keyboard when I do need an upgrade.
And even when you want to replace your main board, you can take the old one, 3D print or buy this Cooler Master case, and turn it into a relatively powerful server or HTPC or K8s node or whatever.
This is the first time I’m hearing about Framework. Is it worth it? I’m looking for a new laptop anyway
Best laptop I’ve had so far, but they’re quite expensive for their performance tier. The expectation is that you’d never replace it, so theoretically the cost pays itself off over time, but that would assume that you are able and willing to do that sort of long term maintenance.
Basically, I would only recommend it if you were a tinkerer.
I disagree on the comment about cost disparity. Spec’d equivalently, even the Framework 16 (without GPU) is no more expensive than the smaller ThinkPad X1 Carbon. The more comparative Framework 13 even less so.
The modular ports (and GPU on the 16) are a nice bonus, but I agree that the largest attraction is for the tinkerer.
I think the fact that it is easily upgradable makes it a clear winner on the merits alone.
I love it, it’s amazing.
I do have the first generation which has a battery drain issue, which has since been fixed.
I always use my hardware for a looong time, but I look forward to only having to replace the main mobo and not the screen or keyboard when I do need an upgrade.
And even when you want to replace your main board, you can take the old one, 3D print or buy this Cooler Master case, and turn it into a relatively powerful server or HTPC or K8s node or whatever.